ALLEN CONTINUES TO STRESS THAT TIME IS SHORT FOR 'HAWKS DEAL

Paul Allen "warned" WA lawmakers in a letter that they
"have just one shot -- the current session -- to approve a
June vote on his plan to replace the Kingdome" with a $425M
stadium and exhibition hall, according to Ed Penhale of the
SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER. WA Gov. Gary Locke supported
Allen by adding there "would be no special session on the
legislation." The POST-INTELLIGENCER's Penhale notes the
stadium funding bill is "near death" in the House because of
the proposed 2.5% tax on sports-licensed merchandise and
some Members have called on Allen to contribute more to the
stadium proposal than the $100M he has offered. WA State
Rep. Paul Zellinksy had asked Allen to "make another run at
the stadium next year," but Allen responded that if the
current proposal fails in the House, he will not exercise
his option to buy the team. Allen: "As to why I just don't
pay for everything, I was asked to be a partner in this
endeavor, not the only partner. We are convinced that fans
want to be a part of the solution. If they don't, they will
tell us at the polls" (SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER, 4/17).